On the Structure of Bioethics as a Pragmatic Discipline

Abstract

This article analyzes certain aspects of the structure of bioethics as a discipline. It begins by arguing that bioethics is an academic discipline of a pragmatic nature and then puts forward a classification of the main problems, issues, and concerns in bioethics, using this classification as a way to outline the limits and framework of the field. Pushing further, it contends that comprehensive treatment of any topic in bioethics requires that three normative dimensions (the ethical, the moral, and the political) be taken into account. It concludes that the classification of the issues and analysis of each issue's normative dimensions can provide valuable contributions toward understanding the sui generis structure of bioethics as a pragmatic discipline.

Panorama sobre la bioética infantil en Iberoamérica

“…The legal norms (ultimately political, because they are sanctioned and enforced only within a state) in numerous cases, aims to channel and resolve conflicts between ethical norms and between moral and ethical norms as well as coordinate the different morals of the different social groups constituting a political society. However, political norms have their own rhythms, guided by the management of differences and institutional stability, which are not always compatible with the urgency of ethical and moral problems and conflicts, adding new forms of conflict in the core of society 1,2 . For example, an issue of a (bio) political nature, with clear bioethical implications, is raised by the question posed by Bellver 25 : "what level of health care should be offered to children of international origin? "…”

“…For this reason, it is always good to take into account an overview that is neither partial or biased, but rather a global view of the different elements that are combined. Recognising that the three normative dimensions involved can shed some light on the problem of priorities between certain conflicting values that affect individuals, social groups and public policies as well as the adjustment or conflict between the same bioethical principles 1,2 .…”

“…However, despite this lack of consensus, bioethics is not an amorphous or chaotic field. In this regard, it should be noted that one of the ways to reveal its internal structure would be to record and classify the issues and practical problems raised by the bioethical controversies themselves according to clear and distinct criteria 1 . From the bioethical system that we take as reference and for the purpose of the present study 2 , it is opportune to begin by pointing out that the issues and problems with which bioethics deals (understood in a broad sense) include issues and problems of a (bio) ethical nature (in a restricted sense) but also, and in a disharmonious way as we shall see, of a (bio) moral and (bio) legal or (bio) political nature.…”